Good fun on I-15, CHP question!

[djmcmath]

x

[JP911]

I've got the Passport 8500 in my daily driver (Audi TT) and it has saved me from many a speeding ticket. As mentioned, no radar detector can save you from instant on, unless it picks up the radar hitting cars ahead of you.

[Doug E]

Not to de-rail all the radar detector talk but what's the penalty out there in CA if you are caught doing 140 ??????

I think here in VA 20 over the posted speed limit is considered reckless so I can only imagine what 75+ over would get you.

BTW, that kinda speed on a public road with other traffic sure can't leave much room for error

[swbsam]

I have no idea as the fastest I've ever been writen up for was about 92MPH but I understand anything over 100 they can take you to jail.

[sscates]

My wife got a ticket doing 88 on the 15. $240.00. My friend was in court and saw a lady's case before his. She was doing 105mph. She was alone and not racing. He said it was $840.00. That's still cheap compared to turning right on a red, without stoping ($400.00). It's highway robbery, literally. What's the problem with doing 140 when no ones around? I think it's reasonable safe in my car. It has to be as safe as a Ford Explorer at 70mph. That's all great info on the radar detecters, by the way.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by djmcmath
. For most of us, the mid-range $200ish BCT-8 (Bear Tracker) is about right.

I have an obsolete Bear Tracker BCT-7

I believe the BCT-12 is the one to buy.
and the Lidatek Laser Echo for laser jamming

[masraum]

Interesting tidbit from times past on the Rennlist

First written in 1990 it predates the Ka Band and LIDAR but otherwise remains true as it was 11 years ago. To this I would add to learn the Rule of Tangents and also avoid attracting attention by passing slow-lane traffic at very rapid differential speeds.

I agree especially with the contention that if you are going to drive fast drive fast. Going 10 over on cruise control will soon have you adjusting the treble, talking on the cell phone or daydreaming. Go fast enough so that you are kept in the real moment, scanning ahead and behind, checking the oil pressure and temp, listening to the tires and anticipating police hiding spots. Comfortable at 72? Step it up to 85 - 90, conditions permitting. It's much safer because you WILL pay attention.

Of course Ferrari owners do not qualify for Rule One! But often a courteous exchange of info on your car will get you off with a warning if the cop is a fellow gear-head.

And so, without further adieu, the Ten Best Tips For Fearless Flying...



The following article appeared in Car and Driver Magazine in January 1991. The editorial department of Car and Driver has released this article for non-commercial use on the Internet and any other electronic networks and bulletin boards providing this disclaimer is attached. The article "Ten Best Tips for Fearless Flying" is written by Umberto Bigone (a psuedoynm) and the 1990 copyright and all rights to this story belong to Hachette Filipacchi Magazines.


TEN BEST TIPS FOR FEARLESS FLYING

Speeding-ticket headaches? Dr. Bigone has just the medicine for you. by Dr. Umberto Bigone Umberto Bigone (bee-GO-nay) ranks as one of the world's most enthusiastic motorists. At home here in Europe, or even in Canada, Dr. Bigone's license is pristine and points-free, which is to say clean, making him, statistically at least, a paragon of law-abiding propriety, a status he has enjoyed for decades. How, we asked Dr. Bigone, can he drive so rapidamente so regularly, while for the rest of us it's all we can do to keep our points total below the license-threatening redline? Generously, he has consented to share with us his ten best tips for flying on the highway without fear. Of cops. These tips are, most of them, methods we here at Car and Driver are well acquainted with, but Dr. Bigone's unique presentation conveys them concisely and in one highly entertaining and easy-to-use package.


I, Dr. Umberto Bigone, lover of high velocity vehicles and of using them in the manner that God intended, share for the first time with my fellow enthusiasts knowledge gained over decades of experience on heavily patrolled highways of the nation and the world. I do this free of charge, though the evolution of my secrets came in small, incremental, often expensive steps as new situations, new equipment, and new measurement techniques caused my original Golden Rule ("Watch Your Rear-View Mirror' ) to blossom into the Ten Best Ways. As in all offers American, a disclaimer is called for: if, after you learn these rules, you are apprehended, please do not attempt to call me and threaten legal action. Remember that advice may be worth no more than what you paid for it ( nothing in this instance) and that Dr. Bigone's special remedy cannot eliminate the risk of apprehension, though my tips can and do dramatically reduce such risk.

RULE 1: SELECT PROPER EQUIPMENT

You cannot hope to speed with impunity without proper equipment. The best radar detector money can buy is a mandatory investment. But there is more: think about the car itself. A bright red Ferrari F40 or Lamborghini Diablo, and a bespoilered and fat-tired Mustang GT are "ticket magnets". A nondescript Ford Aerostar, in mouse-gray- metallic, or a powder-blue generic U.S. sedan, are largely ticket-proof. It is sad, but the more overtly your vehicle displays the intent for high-speed use, the less it will be capable of doing so. Perhaps this fact explains why, in a presumably Darwinian evolution, Corvette drivers have become slower and slower, to the point of now being tragic but amusing mobile chicanes. The answer to driving fast without resorting to a dull automobile is the sports sedan, and fine examples abound, ranging from the Infiniti Q45 to the Taurus SHO and the Dodge Sprint R/T. If ordered in other than "Arrest-Me-Red", the modern sports sedan will provide many more miles of hassle free motoring at far greater speeds than a more "overt" vehicle. All cars may look the same to a radar gun, but radar is not the only threat, and if you are stopped, the type of vehicle you drive and what it says is about your driving style can be of decisive importance.

RULE 2: RECOGNIZE THE THREAT EARLY

This is a straightforward rule. Believe your detector, even if it gives only a short, uncertain signal. It may well be the dreaded K-band "instant-on" aimed at vehicles ahead of you. How often have I, hurtling down the highway, heard the first plaintative bleat from my Escort, pulled courteously to the right, permitted my close follower (in disregard of Rules 5 and 6) to blast by, only to have him receive a full dose of microwaves seconds later. This is inevitably followed by the offensive sucking-vacuum sound of a large police cruiser rushing past the now sanctimomously-slow Dr. Bigone. The scene ends, so sad, with a display of flashing lights somewhere up ahead. Scanning X-band radar is falling into increasing disuse, and many agencies are resorting to traditional seek-and-pace techniques. Or they may sneak up behind, match your speed, and then, within range, squeeze off a burp of instant-on to lock up the evidence. So sad, yes? You must learn to recognize "threat" vehicles. Even though the telltale "light bar" is increasingly absent, threat vehicles have some common characteristics they are almost always American, usually full-size Fords, full-size Chevrolets, Mustang GTs, or Plymouth Gran Furys/Dodge Diplomats. Period. Even without light bars, you should be able to pick out these vehicles at great distances by looking for windshield-pillar mounted spotlights (carefully folded inward) and, more importantly, fat tires. When approaching a suspect vehicle from the rear, look for the above cues plus check the underside for the telltale stabilizer bar, especially on Chevrolets. If you think you see a well-shod white, ivory, blue, or black Diplomat, Caprice, Mustang, or Crown Vic in your rear-view mirror, slow down! Permit him to come closer for positive identification. The seconds lost are meaningless and quickly regained if the possible threat is found to be benign. When entering a new state, take a few moments at a local gas pump to learn what types of vehicles and what types of surveillance the indigenous enforcement professionals use. It's time well spent.

RULE 3: MAINTAIN A GOOD DAYTIME SCAN

Daytime threat-avoidance is different from night-avoidance. You see the threat earlier, but he also sees you. (This is where the wisdom of Rule 1 becomes apparent Innocuous cars may pass unnoticed.) When moving smartly in daylight hours, constantly scan your mirrors and the road ahead for threats. Slow when going through underpasses, for the enforcer may be parked out of sight behind the far-side concrete. Be suspicious of any vehicle parked on the inside or outside shoulder. Slow down until you are sure it is not an enforcer. Check on-ramps as you drive by them. Give a quick look over your right shoulder, all the way to the top of the on-ramp to ensure that it is clean of the authorities. Monitor your rear-view mirror constantly for any sign of unusual activity. Try to remember cars that you pass. If, later, you see what appears to be a possible threat vehicle far behind you and don't remember passing it, slow down for identification. Even if you are reasonably sure you passed it, if that vehicle is now matching your speed (not getting smaller in your rear-view mirror), slow down for positive identification. Proper daytime scan has saved the author as many as five times per month.

RULE 4: MAINTAIN A GOOD NIGHT SCAN

At night, the radar-silent enforcer is hard to see. The daytime rules of underpass-slowing and on-ramp checking apply, but are more difficult to execute. The risk of moving up on an enforcer vehicle can be minimized by learning taillights. This is largely a process of elimination: pickups, vans, minivans, and Japanese or European vehicles are not likely to be threats. Nor are Chevettes, Escorts, GM J-bodies, or any front-wheel-drive vehicle. But if it looks large, or has Mustang LX taillights, you must immediately look for folded-in spotlights and/or fat rubber. Tragically, if these items are present, you must slow down, though it might only be an employee of a private security service on his way home. You can't take the chance. The prime instrument for night driving is the rear-view mirror, and the prime rule is to drive fast enough so that all headlights of passed motorists reduce rapidly in size. Any pair of headlamps that maintains the same size or the same separation between the lamps calls for immediate deceleration pending positive identification.

[masraum]

RULE 5: PRACTICE STEALTH, DECEPTION AND "HIDING"

You can move fast without exposing yourself, because you can usually find a "hare" who is pleased to demonstrate that his car is better than yours. Never attempt to dissuade him: instead, drop back to a safe distance and enjoy the radar shield. Do maintain the rear scan, because threat vehicles coming from behind you are now your responsibility.
Moving in a lane containing Class 8 trucks some distance ahead will also shield your car until you pass the truck. In daylight hours, you may choose to run at times with lights, at times without, hiding yourself in front of a group of trucks when you change illumination. The reason for this is that an enforcer, having "noticed" you from a long distance back, will be looking for a certain as-yet-unidentified vehicle with lights on (or without) as he moves quickly up through traffic. Suddenly, he is in identifiable range of a vehicle similar in size and shape to the one he believes may have been violating, only now the illumination is different from what he saw earlier, thus rendering him unsure.
Meanwhile, you, practicing Rule 2 and 3, will have slowed to a quasi-legal speed. This usually draws a perplexed and suspicious look from the officer, but no pull-over order, especially if you have removed your radar detector from the windshield or visor. An integral part of deception and hiding is the placement and removal of the detector. The unit belongs on the windshield or dash directly in front of you so that a following threat vehicle cannot see it. If you were an enforcer, would you not pursue vehicles wherein reside little amber or green blinking lights and kinky power cords, which can be seen from hundreds of feet away? If you believe you have been actually "noticed" by a trailing police vehicle, hide in front of large trucks, accelerate while under cover, and exit any off-ramp or rest area. At this juncture, you have nothing to lose.
Any time you believe that an officer wants to close in on you, remove the detector at once and place it on the seat next to you. If you are in imminent danger being stopped, execute the following emergency procedures in sequence: ( 1) remove detector and jam under seat, (2) wipe off suction cup or other telltale mark with moistened index fingertip, and (3) replace the cigarette lighter! An empty cigarette lighter outlet is a dead giveaway to the officer that he is dealing with a chronic but sly violator. He will treat you accordingly.


RULE 6: BEWARE OF SLOW MOVING "CLUMPS"

Many an otherwise-experienced and skillful motorist gets done in by what I call "clumps." Clumps are largish groups of vehicles covering all available lanes which move at, or close to, the posted limit. Danger lurks, strangely enough, because the vehicles are maintaining a very safe nose-to-tail distance, thus permitting the unsuspecting enthusiast to carefully make his way through. Unfortunately, when he emerges at the front of the clump, he will see a blinding array of flashing lights overwhelming his rearview mirror. Moral: most loose clumps contain at least one enforcer vehicle, one near the front (a marked cruiser) and maybe one near the center, or end, checking for lane-changing and in-and-out weaving. The latter may be unmarked, but knowledge of Rule 2 makes it a dead giveaway. There is no excuse for getting caught in a clump.


RULE 7: BEWARE OF CURVES, CRESTS, AND GRASSY MEDIANS


Instant-on may be placed so that the violator can be "shot" just as he crests a hill, before he has a chance to react. The crest ahead of you may also hide a police vehicle coming in the other direction, radar at the ready. Slow down before crests. It's safer.


RULE 8: AVOID UNPROFESSIONAL AND PROVOCATIVE BEHAVIOUR


The smart motorist does not alienate others. Slow to a moderate speed differential when passing other motorists. (After all, one of those benign-looking minivans may contain an off-duty officer equipped with pen and phone.) It is also good judgement to avoid provocative license plates such as "HI OFCR" or "SPEEDR." If I were an enforcer, I would give no breaks to those bearing the bumper sticker, "How's my driving Call 1-800-EAT-SHlT."


RULE 9: MAINTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF ATTENTION AT ALL TIMES

Rapid motoring is a serious business incompatible with any simultaneous activity. Women can't conk their hair, males can't shave, and nose-probing is out of the question for both sexes. Caressing the passenger s fine thigh is permissible only while driving at, or near, the posted limit. Marital arguments, discussion of offsprings' grades, negotiations involving business - in person or on a car phone - are all incompatible with Rules 1 through 9. The enthusiast's favourite argument that the skilled, dedicated driver is safe at higher than average speeds holds true only if he is unimpaired and totally focused on the task at hand.


RULE 10: BEHAVE CORRECTLY WHEN STOPPED

Chronic rapid driving will, statistically, get you stopped sooner or later. Observance of Rules 1 through 9 will make it much, much later, but not "never." The consequences of the interception depend mightily on your behaviour.
Do not act blasé. A cocky stance of "Okay, so-you-got-me" is provocative. So is attempting to argue that there must be some terrible mistake, you know you were under the limit. Failure to remove the detector and the suction-cup marks and to replace the cigarette lighter will terribly disappoint the officer.
(It is now, by the way, that you wish you hadn't ordered the Sports Decor Pack," but this is a moot issue.) Be courteous, candid, and contrite. Trembling while handing over your license demonstrates that this situation is an unusual and terrifying experience for you. It shows respect for the law and fear of punishment.
(You'll do this automatically .)
The question, "Do you have any idea how fast you were going?" should be answered with, "Truly, I don't - my mind was wondering." (This is
accurate: You were not focusing on Rules 1 through 9!) "But I must have been over the limit or I guess you wouldn't have stopped me." Note that you weren't speeding deliberately - no "late for work" or "catch a plane" excuses! Your attention drifted a bit, that's all, no premeditated criminally was involved!
At this point, the officer may run a computer check on your hopefully uninteresting driving record which, if you have been diligently and consistently been practicing Dr. Bigone s rules, will be point-free! The resultant action may well be (1) a warning, (2) a modest fine not involving points, or (3) some "break" in the reported excess speed, minimizing the points and thus limiting the damage. The author has experienced all of these outcomes.
There you have it! May you drive enjoyably, safely, with low insurance premiums and a good, clean driving record.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Umberto Bigone, for obvious reasons, releases no biographical information

[Emission]

I've got two Passport 8500's. They work excellent.

I bought a V1 ($399), then returned it - it wasn't worth the premium in my eyes (I don't care where it is coming from - just if it exists).

[yelcab1]

In the last 5 years, every time I make that drive, my V1 goes off about 10 times each drive.

[DavidI]

Originally posted by swbsam
I have no idea as the fastest I've ever been writen up for was about 92MPH but I understand anything over 100 they can take you to jail.

23103(a) CVC states "Any person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving."

It is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail or by fine. Which means that it is a misdemeanor and you can be taken to jail.

[djmcmath]

Fines are an interesting topic -- somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but I've read the entire RCW (Revised Code of Washington) as well as most of the miscellaneous rules (IRLJ's, CrLCJ's, etc.) and it seems that, in Washington State, anyway, the maximum assignable penalty is $250 for non-criminal offenses. Obviously that doesn't apply if you're involved in something criminal, like vehicular homicide or DUI, but even 100 in a 60 is considered "40 over the limit in a speed limit greater than 40mph zone, $250." non-criminal offense or negligent driving (RCW 46.63.525, endangering other persons or property ... $250!). If the officer writes you a ticket for $800 for "speeding," check the reference (he's required to write it on the ticket) and make sure he's got the fine right. If he writes the wrong number, that's perfect grounds for dismissal. If the judge won't dismiss it, drop $110 on the appeal claiming substantial rights of the defendant were prejudiced due to violation of RCW XX.XX.XXX (infraction violated), as well as IRLJ 6.2 (counties can't over-ride state fine schedules) and WA State Constitution P.14 "Fines shall not be excessive."

Wow, that was a lot of legalese. It's not legal advice, and it's as much a question as anything else -- if anybody knows any better, I'd really really like to know. Most states should operate similarly (although Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania have bizarre traffic court rules, and California has excessively well trained CHPs, so if you live there you could just be SOL...). I welcome any comments on this one.

On scanners -- BCT-12 is also a good piece of gear. Anything with a name like "Bear Tracker" can't be all bad. (grin) Seriously, most of what Uniden makes looks pretty decent. I refuse to get in the middle of the Holy War between Passport and Valentine users. The honest testing seems to show pretty similar results between all of the $300-$500 devices, and all of them generate warnings _far_ in advance of what ought to be required to correct a speed high out of specification condition. (grin) Ultimately, it's a preference issue. Bel, Valentine, Passport, whatever. Like your momma always told ya, use protection out there, guys.


Cheers, and sorry for the excessively long post. Hope it's useful to someone, or generates some good discussion (and I almost hope somebody has good input on whether or not I'm on-base with the fine amount stuff).

Dan

[EdT82SC]

Originally posted by swbsam
I have no idea as the fastest I've ever been writen up for was about 92MPH but I understand anything over 100 they can take you to jail.

You are right. CHP caught me doing 120 once many years ago. I was lucky he didn't want to deal with the hassle of dragging me to jail so he wrote me up for 99 instead.

[Burnin' oil]

In California, CHP carries radar that is front and rear facing and is effective regardless of the speed or direction of the CHP vehicle or the target vehicle. California Vehicle code §22348 provides:
(a) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 22351, no person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway with a speed limit established pursuant to Section 22349 or 22356 at a speed greater than that speed limit.
(b) Any person who drives a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than 100 miles per hour is guilty of an infraction punishable, as follows:
(1) Upon a first conviction of a violation of this subdivision, by a fine of not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500). The court may also suspend the privilege of the person to operate a motor vehicle for a period not to exceed 30 days pursuant to Section 13200.5. . . .

The total bail always exceeds the statutory fine because of "penalties" and "administrative fees." It is not unusual for these costs to exceed the original fine.

By the way, if you pass me and my family on the interstate at 140 mph I will track you down and beat your a$$.

[jluetjen]

What's the problem with doing 140 when no ones around?

Because if there was someone around, you won't be able to react before someone is dead.

And then there's the person who's car has broken down and is trying to get across the road to flag someone down because "there is no one around".

Moose, deer, dogs, stray hitch hikers...

tire carcasses

blowouts

equipment failure

Late night construction crews

Cars with broken tail lights...



Anyone with enough money can go 140 on an open highway. Besides there isn't really a whole lot of skill or courage involved (nor brains for that matter). Now let's see you do more then 100 through the loop at the "Glen" or around "Big Bend" at LRP. Better yet -- in traffic. That's a real man in my book.

[lateapex911]

Another Valentine vote.

I just wish it was smaller!

I got pulled over in CT, when radar detectors were illegal, a few years ago, and he was pissed. I was well over a 25 town limit when he shot me from behind. I STOMPED on the brakes and released them at 25. The lights came on, and I pulled over thinking I didn't react fast enough. I slipped my then current (later stolen) Escort into my jacket pocket, and slipped the wired in plug back into the headliner trim.

It went like this:

Me: "Good evening officer, what's the problem?"
Him: "Sir, do you have a radar detector in this car?"
Me: (Gulp). "Excuse me?" (stalling)
Him: "Get out of the car"
I get out, he sticks his head in and says: "Where is the radar detector?"
Me: (Mentally flipping a coin) "There is no radar detector in there" (said kinda casually)
Him: Finding nothing, "Lets see your paperwork"
I hand it over-
He returns, gun drawn, and has me lean against the car, and frisks me. When he pads the suit coat pocket, he says "Whats this?".
ME: (Uh oh!) "Business card holder"
Him:"Theres a problem with your registration. These plates (tags) belong to a red RX-7"
Me: "I just transfered the plates from my old car, you want the old registration paperwork?"
Him: "Damn straight I do"

Thankfully, I had it all, and he saw the proper paperwork trail, which was enough to shake him of his illogical conclusion that i was driving a stolen car.

He handed it all back, and said "I'll be seeing you later" and walked away.

He pulled me over every time he saw me in that town in that car.

I guess his radar unit didn't lock on my until the speed delta minimized and the speed was steady at 25, but he saw the brake lights when he pulled the trigger, and was sure he could get me on a radar detector violation at least. I can't imagine hiding a Valentine that way, but CT has relaxed the no detector law, so it's not an issue.

Phew! Got lucky on that one.....

[sscates]

That's pretty interesting about the Washington vehichle codes. I'm not sure if they are the same in California. I doubt it. About doing 140 on the Freeway. I don't do this around other cars. I certainly would never pass anyone at that speed. You're right, if they swerved for any reason, it would be over. No safety issues if nobody is around. Of course there is the mechanical issue. But that stands for anyone, anytime. Could be between stop lights when your brakes fail. I agree with Brock Yates view of speeding in the US. Happy trails. Thanks everyone for the info.

[Superman]

I was behind a car last night with NO tail lights. It was very spooky. Impossible to see this car.

[Jens]

There are only two radar detectors to even consider when shopping for the best...

1- Valentine 1
2- Valentine 1

I own one of each. If you're gonna spend the money on a unit to save yourself fines and points on your license (and even your driving privileges if you get too many points), why not get the best. They have never let me down. I let myself down once when I didn't react in time, but it only cost me $110. I did get it slowed down from 120 to a more moderate 80.

Jens

[RoninLB]

IMHO

traveling fast on the Hy is a chess game, not a race.

masraum's post on "Rules" should be understood or your tagged.